Capital to have world-class tourism complex

Officials say project aims to boost tourism in country

ISLAMABAD:

A comprehensive strategy has been devised on the instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to construct a world-class tourism complex in Islamabad, for which the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has developed Project Concept- 1 (PC-1).

It has been learned from informed sources that the design of the seven-storey building has been prepared by the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), a Pakistan-based multinational state-owned enterprise and an energy contractor which provides consulting, construction, engineering, and management services globally.

The foundation stone for the mega-project will be laid next year on the 14-Kanal highly valued land near the Pakistan National Council of the Arts. The basement of the proposed complex will have a parking capacity of 1,000 cars, while the ground floor will have shops and the first floor will have offices of the national and international airlines.

The second floor will house the secretariat of the PTDC and the provincial tourism offices of the four provinces. The fourth floor of the complex will house offices of the tour operators and the rest of the floors will have corporate offices, while a restaurant will be established on the rooftop.

PTDC Managing Director Aftab Rana said that a comprehensive plan has been prepared to make the PTDC an independent institution.

Talking to The Express Tribune, he said that all issues have been resolved for this project to be built in the style of France, Germany and Italy. “The project will boost tourism in the country,” he said, adding the NADRA, passport office, e-visa, taxi service internet rooms will also be established in the building.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2022.